>> no, you two go ahead. >> reporter: a new gallup poll shows those who watched the debate believe romney did the superior job. 72% to obama's 20%. incumbent presidents wait a minuted off from confrontation and in a bubble for years often stumble as did president ronald reagan in 1984. >> i did avoid, i'm afraid, in my previous answer also. >> reporter: president obama seemed to have initially thought all went well that night. >> this was a terrific debate. >> reporter: but quickly after he left the stage, he talked to aides and realized he had not brought his "a" game. "this is on me," he later told top advisers, and since then, he's been studying the video of that night with the goal of a more energetic and crisp performance. while the obama campaign dismisses it, other top democrats say pressure is now on vice president biden. a win by congressman paul ryan could create a dynamic of energized challengers squaring off against tired incumbents. and, diane, vice president biden is in debate prep holed off in a delaware hotel reading the book that ryan co-authored, "young guns" and practic